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Rugby Town Squad: Ellie, Hannah (C), Tash, Evie, Robyn, Sophia, Kelsey, Ava, Lucy, Sophie, Priya, Izzy, Ella
After a month of postponements due to the torrid weather we have been experiencing, Rugby travelled to Broughton Astley on a bright but blustery morning to continue their 2019/20 league campaign.
1st Half
RT started playing into the wind and found the ball was very unpredictable on the distance in travelled. The pitch was equally solid and boggy, so they never knew whether the ball would bounce or stop dead. Ava (LW) was making some good choices and providing some good balls through to the RT forwards, as well as proving very strong in defending any DB forward surges. Priya (RW) was heavily involved throughout the game and did well pegging back the enthusiastic DB midfield.
Both teams won corners in quick succession with both teams back 3 dealing with the threat well. BD were utilising the wind and lumping long balls forward to catch the RT defence on the hop. Izzy, Sophie and Lucy were busier that they have been in recent games, working very well as a unit. Sophia had a very busy half, scooping up the windblown ball. Izzy made some sensible defensive decisions, providing cover for Sophia and Lucy’s speed was very welcome when working to confine the excitable ball blowing towards the RT goal.
Sophia’s goal kicks were very good under the circumstances, and a long ball found Ava in midfield who player a great through ball to Evie making the forward run. Evie kept her cool and ran at the DB defence, picking her way past and calmly opening the RT score line.
Dunton and Broughton 0 – 1 Rugby Town
The wind really picked up and the ball was all over the place, any high balls could go anywhere. A goal kick from DB sailed down the pitch, over the RT defenders and found the well-timed run of a DB forward who beat Sophia to equal the score
Dunton and Broughton 1 -1 Rugby Town
Ellie (CM) was working hard to create chances and had a couple of shots just go wide. Hannah, up front on the left, was showing good tenacity in her forward runs. The final minutes of the half saw DB have the upper hand, forcing some good saves from Sophia. A final push by RT saw Ellie hit the side of the next and the half finished on an equal footing.
2nd Half
A couple of changes for fresh legs and a few position changes, and relishing the wind now behind them, RT came out for the second half determined to take the game to DB. It only took a few minutes for Tash to receive the ball on the left wing, push forward past the defenders during a very good solo run and stick the ball in the back of the DB goal
Dunton and Broughton 1 – 2 Rugby Town
Kelsey was charging around up front and saw a very strong shot hit the post. Hannah had shifted to the right wing, and immediately set about delivering some excellent balls forward.
RT won a corner and implemented the “Tash”. The short corner was executed very well and Tash was pressurising the DB goal, DB scrambling the ball clear. RT were camped into DB half now and Kelsey, Priya and Tash teamed up, a very good combination of passes freed Tash up for her second of the game.
Dunton and Broughton 1 – 3 Rugby Town
DB had a period of attack, but Ella, Sophie and Lucy were exceptional in defence. They instinctive support for each other allow a fluid and almost impenetrable wall for the DB to try and breech. Rt shut down the attack and the ball came out to Hannah who took the ball deep into the DB half, perfect cross to Tash who saw her first shot saved but collected the rebound and converted well for her hat trick
Dunton and Broughton 1 – 4 Rugby Town
Another RT corner and this time Hannah delivered a “Hannah”, the ball delivered high to Robyn who saw her shot on target cleared well by the keeper for another RT corner. Hannah delivered again, Robyn again came marauding down the middle, but the keeper again gathered the ball well denying Robyn another shot on goal. RT soon regained possession and again Hannah was the playmaker, a great run and cross round Kelsey who scored her first of the game.
Dunton and Broughton 1 – 5 Rugby Town
RT were still dominating the play and another RT corner was cleared, DB took advantage and their break saw Ella and Sophie working exceptionally well together to close down the threat. Back down and RT were giving DB a headache. Another RT corner, played short by Robyn, was crossed over to Priya who was in an excellent position and took the shot, on target but saved.
Again, DB pushed forward but Sophia gathered up the tentative shot with no issues. Sophia performed and epic kick which sailed over both teams. Kelsey followed the flight of the ball well, picking it up from its bounce and pinging it into goal cleanly.
Dunton and Broughton 1 – 6 Rugby Town
The final minutes of the game saw RT continue to push, and another shot on target was scrambled clear by the DB keeper.
Summary
The wind caused all sorts of issues for both teams today with Rugby capitalising better on the following wind during the second half. Defensively we had a good game today with goalkeeper Sophia rock solid in goal.
A good all-round team performance. Congratulations to Tash on her hat trick. We look forward to a very important game against Leicester at home next week!
Coaches Player of the Match: for an excellent second half, displaying excellent game awareness and teamwork, with some brilliant defensive overlaps; Ella
Parents Player of the Match: for a very confident and involved game on both the left and right wing; Priya
The team and coaches would like to thank:
- Parents for your continuing support
- Darren for linesman duty